‘Promoter of others’

Steve Duncan Assistant Vice Chancellor Administration and Finance and Military Programs

Published Oct 24, 2012 by
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Steve Duncan

Steve Duncan
(Photo by Cliff Hollis)

Steve Duncan is a history buff who lives East Carolina University’s motto of service.

The credenza in his office is filled with scores of military coins collected through the years from his many military affiliations. He even helped create the Chancellor’s Coin, given by Dr. Steve Ballard to distinguished honorees.

He joined ECU more than 10 years ago as assistant vice chancellor for administration and finance and director of military programs, after serving 29 years at the U.S. Department of Defense.

His assignments at the defense department included all levels up to and including support of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Duncan achieved the position of GS-15, a civilian equivalent of colonel. He was the deputy commander of the Army Training Support Center during his final assignment.

At ECU, Duncan has been instrumental in several notable achievements:

  • The Freedom Wall and Veterans Day ceremony
  • The Memorial Walk
  • Helping ECU achieve the Department of Defense Freedom Award in 2010
  • Military Appreciation Day football game events

So it’s fitting that another group that Duncan has been involved with since its beginning, ECU’s Distinguished Military Service Society, would induct him in the Class of 2012.

“I like to be a promoter of others, but I’m honored to see my colleagues put my name forward and, unbeknownst to me, vote me in,” Duncan said of the 20-member military advisory committee that oversees the annual nominations in recognition of service to the university and nation.

Duncan and his wife Cheryl, who happily call themselves Pirate transplants, are active supporters of the Pirate Club and the ECU Alumni Association.

Born in Indianapolis and raised in Kentucky, Duncan received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s and doctoral degree, all in education, from the University of Arizona. Duncan served in the U.S. Army as a counterintelligence agent from 1971 to 1974.